With "Run Fatboy Run" out in theaters today, and with many a New Orleanian still suffering stiff legs from last weekend's Crescent City Classic, it's the perfect time to take a look at movies about running.

Somehow, though, "Chariots of Fire" and its ilk seem too obvious, so here are some off-the-beaten-path, and far less literal, "running" films:

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"Runaway Jury" (2003). A courtroom drama, starring John Cusack, based on the John Grisham book and shot in the New Orleans area.
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"Running With Scissors (2006). The big-screen adaptation of Augusten Bourrough's off-the-wall memoirs.
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"The Running Man" (1987). Somewhere between his time as the Terminator and the Governator, Arnold Schwartzenegger did this borderline-prophetic sci-fi ditty about a deadly reality show. ("I'll buy that for a dollar!")
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"The Cannonball Run" (1981). The guiltiest of guilty pleasures, it's a road comedy starring a legion of big names, including Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Sammy Davis Jr., Terry Bradshaw and others.
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"Run Silent, Run Deep" (1958). Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster and Don Rickles (yes, that Don Rickles) star in this gripping World War II submarine drama.
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"Nuns on the Run" (1990). Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane (aka, Hagrid the Hogwarts gamekeeper) are a pair of guys who, on the run from mobsters, join the convent.

Local production issues casting call

The indie comedy "For Justin" -- scheduled to shoot in New Orleans and on the north shore in late April and early May -- will hold a casting call Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center (on the Lakefront campus).

Several roles are being cast, ranging from extras to featured roles, including:
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Male identical twins or lookalike siblings, ages 18 to 32.
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Men in their 40s to 60s.
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Women ages 18 to 32.
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Women in their 40s to 60s.

It is recommended that interested actors bring headshots and resumes.

Italian film fest is set to unspool

The Italian Film Festival USA of New Orleans cranks up this week, with a trio of recent films from the old country. All three movies will be screened for free at McAlister Auditorium, 43 McAlister Drive, on the Tulane University campus.

The films will be screened in Italian, with English subtitles. For details, visit www.italianfilmfests.org. Now that's Italian.

Buried Treasure

In the never-ending quest for cinematic gems hidden in the weekly TV listings, here's what I'll be watching (or at least recording) this week:

What: "Peter and the Wolf," fresh off an Oscar win for best animated short comes this new, stop-motion version of Sergei Prokofiev's classic tale.When: Monday, 4 a.m.Where: WYES-12Why: Yes, it's at a funky time, but director Suzie Templeton's film almost certainly will be worth the trouble of setting your recorder. (Just remember: When searching for it on your onscreen guide, it might be listed as "Great Performances.")

Movie writer Mike Scott can be reached at (504) 826-3444 or mscott@timespicayune.com.